Professional Psychology

Program Overview

Offered through the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences’ social and behavioral sciences discipline, the professional psychology program teaches students clinical research methods for new discoveries. Students receive in-depth psychodynamic training that combines extensive practical experience with classes on scientific foundations of psychology taught by seasoned clinicians, scholars and researchers. Students also study cognitive behavioral, systems and community consultation approaches. They have opportunities to learn group, family and short-term interventions and to work in hospital, forensic and school settings.

The professional psychology program offers a substantive introduction to the basic science aspects of psychology and the skills required of a clinical psychologist. Students take a series of foundation courses outlining biological, cognitive, social and cultural foundations; basic and more advanced clinical courses, such as psychopathology, group dynamics, assessment, psychotherapy, supervision and consultation; and research methods, statistics, history and systems and ethics courses.

The advanced curriculum offers courses tailored within three broad tracks: adult, assessment and child. In addition to classroom work, students work with a diverse patient population at different public and private agencies as well as at the department’s in-house clinic.

Upon completion of coursework and prior to receiving the Psy.D., students perform a one-year, full-time internship.

Admission Requirements

Admission deadlines:

Fall – December 1

Standardized test scores:

GRE general test is required. The general test only is waived for applicants who hold a J.D., M.D., or Ph.D.

The GRE subject test in Psychology is additionally required for applicants who do not have an undergraduate or graduate degree in Psychology (institutional code 5246).

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction.

Minimum scores for the PsyD. program are:

Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual score below 6.0; or

TOEFL: 600 on paper-based or 100 on Internet-based; or

PTE Academic: 68;

Prerequisite requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in psychology with relevant background and experience, or a master’s degree in psychology.

Recommendations required:

Three (3) recommendations

Prior academic records:

Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission.

If transcripts are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided. The English translation alone should be uploaded into your application.

Statement of purpose:

In an essay of 250 – 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in clinical psychology. Include your clinical and research interests and your career plans. In addition, as a window on your self-awareness, interpersonal perception, and understanding of other perspectives, in three 250 word essays: 1) describe yourself; 2) describe someone you know well; 3) describe how that person would describe you.

Interview:

An on-campus interview is required.

Additional requirements:

The prpgram rarely admits students with scores below the following:

Undergraduate GPA: 3.50

Verbal GRE: 50th percentile

Quantitative GRE: 32nd percentile

Applicants may be considered on a case-by-case basis under alternative criteria, provided that there is evidence of the student’s preparation for graduate study in psychology and significant potential to succeed in the field. Such applicants should address their unique circumstances in their statement of purpose. Any student who applies without either an undergraduate major in psychology or a master’s degree in psychology must submit scores for the GRE subject test in psychology.

Applicants admitted may be required to complete deficiency coursework in psychology prior to enrollment in the graduate program.